View Full Version : Man, how far has Dana Carvey fallen?
TommyP
04-23-2007, 04:46 AM
Discuss what?
here.
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TommyP
04-23-2007, 06:00 AM
Oh. Now I see.
I still think he was awesome on SNL back in the day but yeah his movies were kinda lame but give the guy a break because he had health issues at the time. I mean no offense but you guys couldn't hold a candle to his talent. There I said it.
he blows.
I saw him on Real Time w/ Bill Maher and he was doing the same ole shit from 1994 where he interjects w/ his little character voices. Mainly both president Bush's and then of course Jimmy Stewart and Johnny Carson.
all of which suck ass.
when top name comedians are on shows like Real Time it is their duty to provide an opinion that speaks for the common man while trashing the system in a comedic way. But of course this stupid ass just goes to Get his Shit in, and pretend like that kind of crap is still over with the crowd. Three times during the show he did the fake end take..."Thank you folks I'll be here all week" bullshit.
Chop Broccoli and stick it up your ass along with your lame ass act-
POPS
he blows.
I saw him on Real Time w/ Bill Maher and he was doing the same ole shit from 1994 where he interjects w/ his little character voices. Mainly both president Bush's and then of course Jimmy Stewart and Johnny Carson.
all of which suck ass.
This is what I was referring to really. Only person worse than Carvey is Rich Little ... and HE still gets work.
ugh. just got a bad Carol Channing impression shiver down my spine.
Manley
04-23-2007, 03:35 PM
I hate agreeing with juan.
Dana Carvey is funnier in ten minutes than everyone on this board.
And every single one of us would be lucky to have a career even 1/10th as strong, memorable and long as Dana Carvey's.
I hate agreeing with juan.
Dana Carvey is funnier in ten minutes than everyone on this board.
And every single one of us would be lucky to have a career even 1/10th as strong, memorable and long as Dana Carvey's.
Grrr!! Didn't know you would get so defensive.
You and I will agree to disagree, Manley.
-Jonesy
Dana Carvey is a hack impressionist. I can't think of a single funny thing he has ever done. He gets the voices, the mannerisms, exaggerates them by twenty, and mugs every chance he gets. And then he mugs some more.
His health problems were unfortunate, but they had nothing to do with his obnoxious style. What I always despised is his approach-overstated self-congratulatory smugness.
One thing I have always disliked about SNL is its emphasis on celebrity impressions. Some of it makes sense, since they rely heavily on political and cultural satire. But far too many times they have used it as a crutch, as if we're supposed to have a Pavlovian response to seeing a familiar portrayal. It's a lazy substitute for substance.
And I don't buy this whole "funnier than any of you" argument. Pure cop-out. People are entitled to their critical views without being subject to "Hey, you're not famous, shut up." I've seen countless people on Chicago stages whose talent blows Carvey's out of the water.
And every single one of us would be lucky to have a career even 1/10th as strong, memorable and long as Dana Carvey's.
Or as Jeff Foxworthy's. I think this is sort of irrelevant as to whether or not someone sucks.
But I like Carvey. "Turtle, turtle, turtle." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I hate agreeing with juan.
Dana Carvey is funnier in ten minutes than everyone on this board.
And every single one of us would be lucky to have a career even 1/10th as strong, memorable and long as Dana Carvey's.
Ya but then when you hear the same exact bits 10 minutes later he's not that funny anymore.
Yeah, he sucks. I prefer the comedic genius of today's "Throw the Rock", and "Everyone Shoots Everyone".
Dana Carvey was at the top of his game back in the days of Church Lady and Bush Sr. Everybody was walking around saying "Isn't that special?", and "Wouldn't be prudent..at this juncture." His Carson, paired with Phil Hartman's Ed McMahon, was one of the most memorable, classic SNL moments.
But yeah, he hasn't developed anything new in his semi-retirement, middle-age. He's not banging away, every day, writing new material, to really wow people watching The Bill Maher show. So fuck him. He's a hack.
he hasn't developed anything new in his semi-retirement, middle-age. He's not banging away, every day, writing new material, to really wow people watching The Bill Maher show. So fuck him. He's a hack.
I dunno about that either. It seems when you are on Bill Maher it's a time for you to be you, and talk about really important things, and to show that your not just a walking character actor who is always "on". which is exactly what he did the whole show. I would have loved to hear his honest opinions on the talking points combined w/ some quick comedic tongue lashings when he could get them in. unfortunately he came w/ the same ole shit, and didn't add anything to the show.
Apparently none of you remember that Turtle bit from the Master of Disguise trailer.
I never saw the movie. Didn't have to. The man is so solid that he conveyed a 90 minute film to me in 3 seconds with that Turtle thing.
The point is, don't judge Carvey until you see it. If you don't think it's genius, you hate comedy.
schaefe
04-23-2007, 05:04 PM
Apparently none of you remember that Turtle bit from the Master of Disguise trailer.
I did, Tony. I did...
I didn't see him on the Maher show. But if he did indeed lapse into a bit-fest, then that would suggest he felt the need to use the appearence as promotion for a struggling career. Which made him a bad guest. He didn't do his job. He wasn't being called upon to dazzle with new material. He wasn't there to prove that he was a frontline relevant comic force. He was there to be a good panelist for a specific show.
It sounds sad. That would be true even if he were someone I liked.
The turtle bit was fun. He had a bald head, big glasses and a Kermit-like funny voice. What's not to like?
Telfer
04-23-2007, 05:32 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Carvey#After_SNL
elisabeth
04-23-2007, 06:17 PM
Apparently none of you remember that Turtle bit from the Master of Disguise trailer.
I never saw the movie. Didn't have to. The man is so solid that he conveyed a 90 minute film to me in 3 seconds with that Turtle thing.
The point is, don't judge Carvey until you see it. If you don't think it's genius, you hate comedy.
"am i not turtley enough for your turtle club?"
also, has nobody ever seen Clean Slate? that movie is so amazing! he's a cop, and every morning he wakes up, and his memory is gone! then he has to find a priceless stolen coin! then he falls in love with some lady! and his dog wears an eye patch! you guys!
I didn't see him on the Maher show. But if he did indeed lapse into a bit-fest, then that would suggest he felt the need to use the appearence as promotion for a struggling career.
Or maybe he thought it would be fun, and an easy payday. Maybe he's not even "struggling". Maybe he's just cruising through life, enjoying the fruits of his labors and having a good time.
Maybe someone else is responsible for Carvey's inability to entertain the hip, well-informed Bill Maher audience...let's see....who could it be? I wonder... Could it be...
SATAN?!?!?!
stevescholz
04-23-2007, 07:56 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Carvey#After_SNL
Dan, thanks for including this.
I did not see Dana Carvey on Real Time either, but if he's doing bits of impressions instead of current comedy....well, that's his choice.
When I first saw him on SNL, he played a variety of characters (Church Lady, George HW Bush, Ross Perot, Garth, Hans) and he wasn't always over-the-top. In fact, most of his impressions were silly and funny, but not wacky and desperate. His Dennis Miller opposite the real Dennis Miller on Weekend Update was hysterical. And his Ross Perot opposite Phil Hartmann's Stockdale where Perot literally dumps his running mate is a terrific piece of political satire.
I enjoyed Dana Carvey most when he lost himself in his characters, instead of when he was encouraged to be wacky on SNL. And he seemed to work best as part of a duo. But he had some good stand-up material, too. And his short-lived ABC series The Dana Carvey Show had some very trippy moments of comedy (plus it helped launch Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell).
And then....I don't know. Maybe he lost his comedic compass. Maybe his health issues really threw him for a loop. Maybe he felt his Master of Disguise film was the best use of his talents (that's the only film of his that he actually wrote). I really don't know.
I remember seeing him on The Tonight show years ago doing an impression of Robin Williams at age 80. "By then, he's run out of things to say" explained Carvey, "and he's just all attitude." He then picked up an object on the table and did the Robin Williams "ho-ho! Ho. (TURNS OBJECT OVER). Ho-ho. (SETS DOWN OBJECT, LOOKS DEJECTED). Ho." Very funny and kinda sad that he was projecting what might happen.
Maybe Dana himself has run out things to say.
Telfer
04-23-2007, 08:16 PM
Right. I mean, I saw Master of Disguise, and it's pretty horrible. He said he wrote it specifically so he could say he did a movie his kids could enjoy. And I have to admit, even though the pacing and acting are mostly terrible, I laughed pretty hard at some of his bits in that movie. I mean, my wife was asleep, and I rated it 2 stars on Netflix, but I laughed.
My reason for linking his story is simply that the guy has had really legitimate reasons for dropping out of the limelight. He wanted to raise a family and has had multiple heart surgeries over the course of the last 10 years. His career was actually going pretty well before his first big operation in 1997. So what if he's coasting?
Picking on Dana Carvey is weaksauce.
Here's a sketch he did with Stephen Colbert that made me laugh:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozJh-V2Zd-Y
As long as he doesn't sign up for the Cagematch, I think he'll be fine.
Or if he does, it's really important that he at least knows what he's getting into.
You guys are haters. If you had more talent than him then you can talk because they're some people out there who think are funny and really are so not. I don't care whatever go on with your inner circle of hate. I'm done with this thread. Also kill yourself.
Del Close's Skull
04-23-2007, 09:39 PM
Carvey blows, and he blew (blowed?) in the late 80's too. Ooooooooooooooohhhh... a Johnny Carson impression! Wow!!!!!! What a genius!!!!!! Hey! That one is George Bush!! Neat!
It's not just that he was doing hack impressions on Real Time, it' s that he would interrupt someone bothering to make a point to do it. And how many goddamn times did he wrap up with one of these sub-Rich Little gems to go "I'll be here all week." Perhaps he was just saying that out of sheer Vegas sideshow habit.
So he had a few popular characters on SNL (since when is THAT a badge of honor) and a SUPPORTING role in Wayne's World and Wayne's World 2. So what?
I'll be here all week.
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